Travel Blog

Acorns from the Forest – 숲속의 도토리

It is hard to beat ‘Acorns from the Forest’ for fresh, healthy, delicious food. Meals are served in a pleasant atmosphere directly by the friendly owner, who is deeply knowledgeable about nutrition...

Blogs & Websites

Pagans We Are Shamanism, shrines, deities, haenyeo … Jeju Palimpsest History of Tamna, shrines, gods and goddesses … Jeju Tourism Organization Events and travel information Korea Tourism Organization...

Byeon In-Tae the Big Liar

This legend is from 99 Legends of Jeju Island (1st edition – Center for Jeju Studies Collection – published by GAK, 2023).

Counselor Lee of South Radish Field

This legend is from 99 Legends of Jeju Island (1st edition – Center for Jeju Studies Collection – published by GAK, 2023).

Fabulous and Forsaken Trucks and Tractors

Forty Days in Quelpart Island (1914)

Quelpart is the name formerly used by Europeans to refer to Jeju Island. This article was written by Malcom P. Anderson and published in Overland Monthly (San Francisco, California) in January, 1914.

Gosanri-Style Pottery

Photo: Jeju National Museum By the end of the last ice age around 10,000 years ago, rising sea levels had separated Jeju from mainland Korea. One of the places that residents of the newly formed...

Gojongdari and the Horses of Jeju

Governor Lee Ik-Tae’s Jiyeongnok

Photo: Jeju National Museum In 1694, King Suk-jong of the Joseon dynasty sent Lee Ik-tae to Jeju to take up the office of moksa. A moksa held the highest administrative rank on the island, equivalent...

H. B. Hulbert’s “The Island of Quelpart”

“The Island of Quelpart” is an article from the Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, Volume 37 – Published January 1, 1905. You can download the article here.

Heavenly Honey

Visit Honey Story 허니스토리 to purchase pure honey collected and processed in Jeju. They have a huge selection of different kinds of honey, propolis, royal jelly, honeycombs, toothpaste, beeswax candles...

Historical Documents

English translations of historical documents about Jeju. More to come. History of the Go Family of Jangseung (1450) : This is one of the oldest written records of the Myth of the Three Clans, or Myth...

Gods and Goddesses

Jeju is said to be home to 18,000 gods and goddesses. They are loved, feared, worshipped and placated at home and at village shrines, in the island’s shamanistic rituals and Buddhist temples, on...

Drifting Across the Sea: Jang Han-Cheol’s Diary

The seas surrounding Jeju held many dangers for sailors and fishermen in the past. Sharp volcanic rocks lie below the surface of the water, and frequent storms and strong winds made fishing and...

History of the Go Family of Jangheung

Jangheung Gossi Gaseung : 장흥고씨가승 : 長興髙氏家乘 This text was written in 1450 and included in the Dongmunseon (동문선 : 東文選), an anthology of poems and other writings that was produced under the orders of...

Jeju as Juho in the Records of the Three Kingdoms

The Records of the Three Kingdoms is a Chinese historical text which covers the history of the late Eastern Han dynasty (c. 184–220 CE) and the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE).

Jeju Dialect, Korean and Hanja Resources

Jeju Dialect The Jeju Studies Archive run by the 제주학연구센터 has a wealth of freely accessible articles on the dialect of Jeju, which many argue can be classified as a separate language altogether.

Jeju History and Culture Resources

It is hard to find good information in English about Jeju. Here are some resources for the study of the island’s history and culture. You often have to dig deep through general Korean history...

Jeju’s Ubiquitous Stone Walls

As a volcanic island, Jeju is covered in stone, most of which is basalt, a hard lava rock with many holes. While the stony ground made farming difficult, it also provided material for construction.

Judge Seo and the Snake’s Revenge

Lee Myoung-Bok 이명복

This painter has been capturing the essence of the history, nature and people of Jeju in splendid realist fashion since he moved to the island in 2010.

Lifting Stones

Jeju once had a widespread tradition of stonelifting. In the past, each village on the island had two to six lifting stones. These stones were placed at the entrances to villages and under shade...

Local Products

You can buy a variety of pure, delicious honey and bee products at Honey Story.

Museums and Research Centers

Museums The 제주국립박물관 Jeju National Museum has a fantastic collection of well-displayed artifacts. The display panels are all in English, Chinese and Japanese.

Myth of the Three Clans in the “History of Goryeo”

The myth of the founding of the state/kingdom of Tamna comes from several sources; it appears in both oral tradition and written records dating back as far as the 15th century, but is likely much...

News in English

There is only one English-language news source for Jeju – KCTV Jeju English news. The Jeju Weekly is no longer being published, and there are no printed English news sources.

Ninety-Nine Valleys

This legend is from 99 Legends of Jeju Island (1st edition – Center for Jeju Studies Collection – published by GAK, 2023).

Photography

The Seductive Charm of Oreums The Mysterious Allure of Valleys The Calming Promise of Fields and Farms The Swell and Surging of Wind and Waves The Ubiquitous Sight of Stone Statues The Captivating...

Prehistoric Rock Shelters

During the paleolithic period, meaning “old stone age”, Jeju was not an island. Glaciers covered much of the earth and ocean levels were much lower, so it was connected to mainland Korea, China and...

Authors, Books and Articles

Chin Song-Gi – 진성기 – has written dozens of books and articles on the religion, myths, legends, folk beliefs and traditions of Jeju Island. The only English-language publication of his is an article...

Samda: Three Abundances

Jeju has long been known for having three things in abundance, called the samda. These Three Abundances of Jeju Island are wind, women and stone.

The “Amazon Women of Quelpart”

The following is from Homer B. Hulbert’s A COMPARATIVE GRAMMAR OF THE KOREAN LANGUAGE AND THE DRAVIDIAN DIALECTS OF INDIA – 1906 (Quelpart is the name formerly used by Europeans to refer to Jeju...

The Breathtaking Beauty of Life in the Forest

The Bridge to the Mainland

The Calming Promise of Fields and Farms

The Captivating Grazing and Galloping of Horses

The Cocky Cawing of Crows

The Dochaebi’s Reply

The Haenyeo and the Underwater Palace

The Mysterious Allure of Valleys

The Pasture Supervisor Kim Family

The Peaceful Presence of Buddhist Temples

The Sambyeolcho and Hangpaduri Fortress

Did you know that you can tour the remains of a fortress that was built nearly 750 years ago on Jeju? The great earthen barriers that still stand at the fortress known as Hangpaduri stretch for over...

The Secret, Sacred Haunts of Spirits and Shamans

The Seductive Charm of Oreums

The State of Tamna

As villages on the island grew larger and more prosperous, a stratified society developed on Jeju sometime around the beginning of the Three Kingdoms period of mainland Korea, which scholars date to...

The Stunning Beauty of Halla Mountain

The Swell and Surging of Wind and Waves

The Ubiquitous Sight of Stone Statues

The Weird and Wonderful World of Creepy Creatures

Video: The Life of a Young Haenyeo in Bukchon Village in 1975

Journal Films, Inc – Families of the World / Produced by Canadian Broadcasting Corp in association with UNICEF From the description on archive.

White Deer Lake and the Immortals

This legend is from 99 Legends of Jeju Island (1st edition – Center for Jeju Studies Collection – published by GAK, 2023).

Yeongjuji : 영주지 : 瀛州誌 : Chronicle of Yeongju

The Yeongjuji (영주지 : 瀛州誌) is a chronicle of the founding of the nation of Tamna. Yeongju (영주 : 瀛州), meaning Island Nation or Country of the Sinseon, refers to Jeju.

The Dochaebis Reply: Jeju's Legendary Tale of Supernatural Wisdom and Human Folly

Discover the captivating folklore of the Dochaebis Reply, a beloved Jeju legend that reveals the island's supernatural beings and their mysterious interactions with mortals.

Stone Statues and Cultural Monuments: Jeju's Silent Guardians and Sacred Sculptures

Discover the fascinating world of Jeju's stone statues, from the iconic Dolhareubang guardians to ancient monuments that reveal the island's spiritual heritage and artistic traditions.

Fields and Farms: Jeju's Agricultural Heritage and Traditional Farming Wisdom

Explore Jeju's rich agricultural heritage, from ancient farming techniques adapted to volcanic soil to modern sustainable practices that preserve the island's farming traditions.

Creepy Creatures and Folklore: Jeju's Supernatural Beings and Scary Legends

Delve into the dark side of Jeju's folklore with tales of supernatural creatures, ghostly apparitions, and spine-chilling legends that have haunted the island for centuries.

Valleys and Natural Wonders: Exploring Jeju's Hidden Geological Treasures

Journey through Jeju's spectacular valleys, gorges, and natural formations that showcase the island's volcanic heritage and create some of Korea's most breathtaking landscapes.

The Sambyeolcho Resistance: Jeju's Heroic Stand Against Mongol Invasion

Discover the dramatic story of the Sambyeolcho resistance on Jeju Island, where Korean warriors made their final heroic stand against Mongol forces in a struggle that shaped the island's identity.

Prehistoric Sites and Ancient Mysteries: Uncovering Jeju's Archaeological Treasures

Journey through time to discover Jeju's prehistoric heritage, from ancient dolmens and burial sites to mysterious stone circles that reveal the island's earliest inhabitants.

The Breathtaking Beauty of Life in the Forest: Jeju's Enchanted Woodland Realms

Immerse yourself in the magical world of Jeju's forests, where ancient trees, diverse ecosystems, and pristine natural beauty create some of Korea's most spectacular woodland experiences.

The Peaceful Presence of Buddhist Temples: Jeju's Sacred Buddhist Heritage

Discover the serene world of Jeju's Buddhist temples, where ancient wisdom meets island spirituality in settings of extraordinary natural beauty and profound tranquility.

The Secret Sacred Haunts of Spirits and Shamans: Jeju's Mystical Spiritual Landscape

Journey into the hidden spiritual world of Jeju Island, where ancient shamanic traditions thrive and sacred sites hold the power to connect the earthly and divine realms.

The Seductive Charm of Oreums: Jeju's Volcanic Cones and Their Mystical Allure

Explore the enchanting world of Jeju's oreums - the volcanic cones that create the island's distinctive landscape and hold deep spiritual significance in local culture and mythology.

Samda - An Island of Three Abundances: Stones, Wind, and Women

Discover the traditional concept of Samda that defines Jeju Island's character through its three abundances: volcanic stones, powerful winds, and strong women who shaped the island's unique culture.

Jeju's Ubiquitous Stone Walls: The Island's Living Heritage in Volcanic Rock

Explore the fascinating world of Jeju's doldam stone walls, which crisscross the island like ancient arteries, telling stories of survival, community, and the ingenious adaptation to volcanic landscapes.

The Haenyeo and the Underwater Palace: Guardians of Jeju's Maritime Soul

Dive into the extraordinary world of Jeju's haenyeo, the legendary female divers whose traditions span centuries, and discover the mythical underwater palace that lives in their stories and dreams.

The Stunning Beauty of Halla Mountain: Jeju's Sacred Peak and Natural Wonder

Discover the majestic beauty of Hallasan, South Korea's highest mountain, and explore its unique ecosystems, volcanic origins, and deep cultural significance to the people of Jeju Island.

Lotte City Hotel Jeju: Premium Accommodation in the Heart of Jeju City

Discover why Lotte City Hotel Jeju is the perfect choice for your stay in Jeju Island. Premium amenities, central location, and exceptional service await.

18th-Century Jeju in the Tamna Sullyeokdo: A Window into Island Life

Discover how Jeju Island appeared to 18th-century visitors through the detailed illustrations and accounts of the Tamna Sullyeokdo, offering unique insights into traditional island culture, governance, and daily life.